A 65-year-old man, Adeboye Adeyemo, alongside his wife, Bolanle, 50, has been brought before a Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan over allegations of falsifying their marriage certificate.
We gathered that the duo appeared in court on Thursday, where they faced a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful possession, and forgery. Both defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the accusations.
Presenting the case, the prosecutor, Insp. Ayodele Ayeni, told the court that the alleged offence occurred on March 20 at about 9:00 a.m. in the Mapo area of Ibadan.
Ayeni further alleged that Adeyemo had forged the disputed marriage certificate dated September 12, 2006. He explained that the document was later presented by the first defendant as evidence in a divorce suit he instituted against Bolanle.
The prosecutor noted that Bolanle challenged the authenticity of the document, opposing its admissibility in court. According to him, she insisted that no marriage certificate was ever issued to them prior to cohabiting as husband and wife.
Investigations, Ayeni added, revealed that the Ibadan North Local Government Registry, whose name appeared on the certificate, disclaimed any knowledge of issuing such a document, describing the one in circulation as fake.
He said the alleged offences contravene Sections 516, 465, and 430 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
In her ruling, the President of the court, Mrs. S.M. Akintayo, granted bail to each defendant in the sum of N200,000, with two credible sureties who must be civil servants on Grade Level 12.
She further directed that the sureties must provide their latest salary pay slips and proof of National Identification Number (NIN).
The case was subsequently adjourned until June 8 for further hearing.
